Tight Race Expected In Budhni Assembly Bypoll Between BJP And Congress

The Budhni Assembly seat bypolls is set to take place in Madhya Pradesh’s Sehore district, a stronghold of former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is set for a competitive by-election. Chouhan, now the Union Agriculture Minister, vacated the seat after winning a Lok Sabha seat in 2024.

The Election Commission of India has yet to announce the bypolls date. Nevertheless, both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have begun their preparations.

Political observers note that the BJP is relatively unconcerned, having held the Budhni seat since 2006. However, the party is awaiting a decision on Chouhan’s replacement.

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In contrast, the Congress has intensified its efforts on the ground. The party views Chouhan’s absence as a prime opportunity to challenge the BJP. Congress has initiated meetings across all 363 booths and replaced Raghogarh MLA Jaivardhan Singh with Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar for the bypoll.

The Congress plans to deploy a 15-member team, including senior leaders and former ministers, in the next two weeks.

In the November 2023 Assembly elections, Congress candidate Vikram Mastal Sharma received 59,977 votes, while BJP’s Shivraj Singh Chouhan secured 1,64,951 votes. The BJP won 163 seats, and the Congress won 66.